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MEPs criticise behaviour of low-cost airlines

MEPs today (10 May) voted to condemn low-cost airlines, such as Easyjet and Ryanair, for “aggressive business practices” that hurt the regional airports they operate out of. MEPs said such behaviour breaches EU competition law.

The resolution, drafted by Philip Bradbourn, a UK Conservative MEP, says that excessive booking fees and hand-luggage restrictions are discouraging travellers from buying goods in smaller regional airports. The resolution calls on the European Commission and member states to impose caps on charges for excess baggage, and for a common upper weight limit to be set.

The resolution also says that weight and size checks should be carried out on arrival at regional airports rather than at the departure gate. This would allow passengers to exceed these limits because of goods purchased at the airport.

The resolution also says that a recent Commission proposal on airports does not contain specific legislation for regional airports. Bradbourn said that the economic crisis is hitting these airports particularly hard. They are being “priced out of the market, leading to greater consolidation between major airports and airlines, the result being less choice and higher prices for customers”, he said.

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Henry

Yes, they take passengers for a real ride. The expenses encountered traveling from disclosed airports to the place you wish to arrive are not counted. These airlines are intended for EU and Brassels meetings, you have a limited luggage, so excellent.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 4:12 PM CET

Henry

Yes, they take passengers for a real ride. The expenses encountered traveling from disclosed airports to the place you wish to arrive are not counted. These airlines are intended for EU and Brassels meetings, you have a limited luggage, so excellent.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 4:12 PM CET

Henry

Yes, they take passengers for a real ride. The expenses encountered traveling from disclosed airports to the place you wish to arrive are not counted. These airlines are intended for EU and Brassels meetings, you have a limited luggage, so excellent.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 4:12 PM CET

Henry

Yes, they take passengers for a real ride. The expenses encountered traveling from disclosed airports to the place you wish to arrive are not counted. These airlines are intended for EU and Brassels meetings, you have a limited luggage, so excellent.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 4:12 PM CET

Eleana Kazakeou

This is a clear example of the disconnect between EU leadership and EU citizens. Honorable MPs, we do NOT all get paid 10k euro salaries a month – not only do they not provide enough jobs for people to make money, but now they are trying to cut the only way for citizens to get around Europe for low prices? This is ridiculous, and I do not see how instead of urging large companies (i.e. expensive companies) to cut down on costs, they criticize low-cost airlines for innovating and actually increasing competition!!!

This is a repulsive way of our MPs showing a naive and unthought behavior.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 8:51 PM CET

Eleana Kazakeou

This is a clear example of the disconnect between EU leadership and EU citizens. Honorable MPs, we do NOT all get paid 10k euro salaries a month – not only do they not provide enough jobs for people to make money, but now they are trying to cut the only way for citizens to get around Europe for low prices? This is ridiculous, and I do not see how instead of urging large companies (i.e. expensive companies) to cut down on costs, they criticize low-cost airlines for innovating and actually increasing competition!!!

This is a repulsive way of our MPs showing a naive and unthought behavior.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 8:51 PM CET

Eleana Kazakeou

This is a clear example of the disconnect between EU leadership and EU citizens. Honorable MPs, we do NOT all get paid 10k euro salaries a month – not only do they not provide enough jobs for people to make money, but now they are trying to cut the only way for citizens to get around Europe for low prices? This is ridiculous, and I do not see how instead of urging large companies (i.e. expensive companies) to cut down on costs, they criticize low-cost airlines for innovating and actually increasing competition!!!

This is a repulsive way of our MPs showing a naive and unthought behavior.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 8:51 PM CET

Eleana Kazakeou

This is a clear example of the disconnect between EU leadership and EU citizens. Honorable MPs, we do NOT all get paid 10k euro salaries a month – not only do they not provide enough jobs for people to make money, but now they are trying to cut the only way for citizens to get around Europe for low prices? This is ridiculous, and I do not see how instead of urging large companies (i.e. expensive companies) to cut down on costs, they criticize low-cost airlines for innovating and actually increasing competition!!!

This is a repulsive way of our MPs showing a naive and unthought behavior.

Posted on 5/10/12 | 8:51 PM CET

j falzon

MEP’s welcome to reality: The last thing your average joe wants is to arrive at his destination only to be delayed upon arrival and then to suffer the shock of having to pay for excess luggage. Do yourselves a favour and get out of your castles and come and live a day in the shoes of a pauper like me. Honestly, what a waste of our money you really are!

Posted on 5/11/12 | 9:55 AM CET

j falzon

MEP’s welcome to reality: The last thing your average joe wants is to arrive at his destination only to be delayed upon arrival and then to suffer the shock of having to pay for excess luggage. Do yourselves a favour and get out of your castles and come and live a day in the shoes of a pauper like me. Honestly, what a waste of our money you really are!

Posted on 5/11/12 | 9:55 AM CET

j falzon

MEP’s welcome to reality: The last thing your average joe wants is to arrive at his destination only to be delayed upon arrival and then to suffer the shock of having to pay for excess luggage. Do yourselves a favour and get out of your castles and come and live a day in the shoes of a pauper like me. Honestly, what a waste of our money you really are!

Posted on 5/11/12 | 9:55 AM CET

j falzon

MEP’s welcome to reality: The last thing your average joe wants is to arrive at his destination only to be delayed upon arrival and then to suffer the shock of having to pay for excess luggage. Do yourselves a favour and get out of your castles and come and live a day in the shoes of a pauper like me. Honestly, what a waste of our money you really are!

Posted on 5/11/12 | 9:55 AM CET

GB

I flew years ago from Torino via Air France with the same luggage with which I arrived. Going there was no additional charge. Returning Air France determined I owed almost 300 Euros. This was not Ryan Air or Easy Jet. The MEPs complaint is not about luggage but about low-cost airlines competing with the fat cats. In five years since I have avoided Air France and cost them plenty in lost revenue. Consumers are the marketplace, and we exact our costs as necessary. The MEPs — conservative or not — do not have our interests at heart, and are only another cost added on to my German tax bill. I would prefer no more help from Brussels, because I prefer no more Brussels MEPs and their expenses. Consumers make their choices, and we need no “help” from expensive politicians.

Posted on 5/12/12 | 3:27 AM CET

GB

I flew years ago from Torino via Air France with the same luggage with which I arrived. Going there was no additional charge. Returning Air France determined I owed almost 300 Euros. This was not Ryan Air or Easy Jet. The MEPs complaint is not about luggage but about low-cost airlines competing with the fat cats. In five years since I have avoided Air France and cost them plenty in lost revenue. Consumers are the marketplace, and we exact our costs as necessary. The MEPs — conservative or not — do not have our interests at heart, and are only another cost added on to my German tax bill. I would prefer no more help from Brussels, because I prefer no more Brussels MEPs and their expenses. Consumers make their choices, and we need no “help” from expensive politicians.

Posted on 5/12/12 | 3:27 AM CET

GB

I flew years ago from Torino via Air France with the same luggage with which I arrived. Going there was no additional charge. Returning Air France determined I owed almost 300 Euros. This was not Ryan Air or Easy Jet. The MEPs complaint is not about luggage but about low-cost airlines competing with the fat cats. In five years since I have avoided Air France and cost them plenty in lost revenue. Consumers are the marketplace, and we exact our costs as necessary. The MEPs — conservative or not — do not have our interests at heart, and are only another cost added on to my German tax bill. I would prefer no more help from Brussels, because I prefer no more Brussels MEPs and their expenses. Consumers make their choices, and we need no “help” from expensive politicians.

Posted on 5/12/12 | 3:27 AM CET

GB

I flew years ago from Torino via Air France with the same luggage with which I arrived. Going there was no additional charge. Returning Air France determined I owed almost 300 Euros. This was not Ryan Air or Easy Jet. The MEPs complaint is not about luggage but about low-cost airlines competing with the fat cats. In five years since I have avoided Air France and cost them plenty in lost revenue. Consumers are the marketplace, and we exact our costs as necessary. The MEPs — conservative or not — do not have our interests at heart, and are only another cost added on to my German tax bill. I would prefer no more help from Brussels, because I prefer no more Brussels MEPs and their expenses. Consumers make their choices, and we need no “help” from expensive politicians.

Duty Free Shopping in Europe does not exist, it was abolished by the very people who are now trying to legislate to re-instate it by encouraging airport shopping! This is ridiculous and demonstrates how out of touch these MEP’s really are. All goods sold in EU airports are tax-paid, not duty free, so all of these purchases can be sold off-airport, on-line or anywhere for that matter. Likewise, there is no legal requirement that these goods need to be exported on aircraft at all. Therefore, this regulation related to carryon baggage is ludicrous. Likewise, EU flights do not sell liquors, nor tobaccos on board, only the airports sell these tax-paid, not tax or duty free. So do we presume from this fight with Ryanair that the EU wishes to encourage the sale of tax-paid alcohol and tobaccos?

Duty Free Shopping in Europe does not exist, it was abolished by the very people who are now trying to legislate to re-instate it by encouraging airport shopping! This is ridiculous and demonstrates how out of touch these MEP’s really are. All goods sold in EU airports are tax-paid, not duty free, so all of these purchases can be sold off-airport, on-line or anywhere for that matter. Likewise, there is no legal requirement that these goods need to be exported on aircraft at all. Therefore, this regulation related to carryon baggage is ludicrous. Likewise, EU flights do not sell liquors, nor tobaccos on board, only the airports sell these tax-paid, not tax or duty free. So do we presume from this fight with Ryanair that the EU wishes to encourage the sale of tax-paid alcohol and tobaccos?

Duty Free Shopping in Europe does not exist, it was abolished by the very people who are now trying to legislate to re-instate it by encouraging airport shopping! This is ridiculous and demonstrates how out of touch these MEP’s really are. All goods sold in EU airports are tax-paid, not duty free, so all of these purchases can be sold off-airport, on-line or anywhere for that matter. Likewise, there is no legal requirement that these goods need to be exported on aircraft at all. Therefore, this regulation related to carryon baggage is ludicrous. Likewise, EU flights do not sell liquors, nor tobaccos on board, only the airports sell these tax-paid, not tax or duty free. So do we presume from this fight with Ryanair that the EU wishes to encourage the sale of tax-paid alcohol and tobaccos?

Duty Free Shopping in Europe does not exist, it was abolished by the very people who are now trying to legislate to re-instate it by encouraging airport shopping! This is ridiculous and demonstrates how out of touch these MEP’s really are. All goods sold in EU airports are tax-paid, not duty free, so all of these purchases can be sold off-airport, on-line or anywhere for that matter. Likewise, there is no legal requirement that these goods need to be exported on aircraft at all. Therefore, this regulation related to carryon baggage is ludicrous. Likewise, EU flights do not sell liquors, nor tobaccos on board, only the airports sell these tax-paid, not tax or duty free. So do we presume from this fight with Ryanair that the EU wishes to encourage the sale of tax-paid alcohol and tobaccos?

Posted on 5/12/12 | 7:27 AM CET

jf

This would mean that I would arrive at my destination and have to wait for the airline and airport to weigh my luggage to make sure it does not exceed 10 kilos. I normally have just minutes to get my next bus, train or coach. I normally get it. Now, I’m going to have to wait in long queues (even a 30 second wait is too much considering the current system is just fine) to have my bag checked. I am quite cluey so I am not going to get overcharged for excess weight but the less-informed are going to be ripped off AND delayed upon arrival. Do something useful would you! Why don’t you lobby the Commission for a pay cut…

Posted on 5/14/12 | 7:44 PM CET

jf

This would mean that I would arrive at my destination and have to wait for the airline and airport to weigh my luggage to make sure it does not exceed 10 kilos. I normally have just minutes to get my next bus, train or coach. I normally get it. Now, I’m going to have to wait in long queues (even a 30 second wait is too much considering the current system is just fine) to have my bag checked. I am quite cluey so I am not going to get overcharged for excess weight but the less-informed are going to be ripped off AND delayed upon arrival. Do something useful would you! Why don’t you lobby the Commission for a pay cut…

Posted on 5/14/12 | 7:44 PM CET

jf

This would mean that I would arrive at my destination and have to wait for the airline and airport to weigh my luggage to make sure it does not exceed 10 kilos. I normally have just minutes to get my next bus, train or coach. I normally get it. Now, I’m going to have to wait in long queues (even a 30 second wait is too much considering the current system is just fine) to have my bag checked. I am quite cluey so I am not going to get overcharged for excess weight but the less-informed are going to be ripped off AND delayed upon arrival. Do something useful would you! Why don’t you lobby the Commission for a pay cut…

Posted on 5/14/12 | 7:44 PM CET

jf

This would mean that I would arrive at my destination and have to wait for the airline and airport to weigh my luggage to make sure it does not exceed 10 kilos. I normally have just minutes to get my next bus, train or coach. I normally get it. Now, I’m going to have to wait in long queues (even a 30 second wait is too much considering the current system is just fine) to have my bag checked. I am quite cluey so I am not going to get overcharged for excess weight but the less-informed are going to be ripped off AND delayed upon arrival. Do something useful would you! Why don’t you lobby the Commission for a pay cut…

Posted on 5/14/12 | 7:44 PM CET

Drew

MEP Bradbourne says he is helping regional airports with his policy. So perhaps these experts from Brussels and Strasbourg can explain why the UK airline BMI Baby has just been shut down? Where and how does this closure help his regional airports? And, I can guess who stepped in to take the routes… Ryanair.. why, because they are profitable in spite of the EU meddling!

Posted on 5/15/12 | 10:11 AM CET

Drew

MEP Bradbourne says he is helping regional airports with his policy. So perhaps these experts from Brussels and Strasbourg can explain why the UK airline BMI Baby has just been shut down? Where and how does this closure help his regional airports? And, I can guess who stepped in to take the routes… Ryanair.. why, because they are profitable in spite of the EU meddling!

Posted on 5/15/12 | 10:11 AM CET

Drew

MEP Bradbourne says he is helping regional airports with his policy. So perhaps these experts from Brussels and Strasbourg can explain why the UK airline BMI Baby has just been shut down? Where and how does this closure help his regional airports? And, I can guess who stepped in to take the routes… Ryanair.. why, because they are profitable in spite of the EU meddling!

Posted on 5/15/12 | 10:11 AM CET

Drew

MEP Bradbourne says he is helping regional airports with his policy. So perhaps these experts from Brussels and Strasbourg can explain why the UK airline BMI Baby has just been shut down? Where and how does this closure help his regional airports? And, I can guess who stepped in to take the routes… Ryanair.. why, because they are profitable in spite of the EU meddling!